What followed took barely sixty seconds. The information must have been as distressing as it was definite, for Ralph noticed a deeper concern than ever come over the serious face of the official. "How's the South Branch?" he inquired next. "It's useless, Mr. Grant," put in the superintendent, as the president dropped the receiver with a disappointed and anxious sigh. After receiving some further information he again swept his eye over the map on the table. His fingers mechanically followed the various divisions outlined there. The foreman came to his side. "Excuse me, Mr. Grant," he spoke respectfully, "but I'm in pretty close touch with conditions along the lines. If I can explain anything----" "You can. That is the old Shelby division?" inquired the official, his finger point resting on a line on the chart running due southeast between the Mountain Division and the South Branch out of Rockton. "Yes, sir," assented the foreman proudly. "You know it has been practically abandoned except for coal freight, since the south line was completed. It's used as a belt line now--transfer at Shelby Junction." "What's the condition." "Risky. We sent a freight over this morning. It got through four hours late." "But it got through, you say?" spoke the official earnestly. "Get the dispatcher again. Ask for details on that division. Don't lose any time." The foreman was busy at the 'phone for some minutes. As he held the receiver suspended in his hand, he reported to the railroad president: "Snow and drifting wind reported between here and Dunwood." "What else?" "Look out for washouts and culverts and bridges damaged by running ice and water between Dunwood and Kingston." "That's half the forty-five miles--go head." "Between Kingston and Shelby Junction water out over the bottoms and flood coming down the valley." "What's on the schedule?" "All schedules cancelled, not a wheel running except on instructions from this end." "Give them," spoke the official sharply. "Tell the dispatcher to keep the line clear from end to end. Wire to the stations that a special is coming through, no stops." "Yes, sir," assented the foreman in wonderment, and executed the order. The official stood by his side until he had completed the message. Then he said: "Tell the dispatcher to get Clay City, and find out if the Midland Express over the Midland Central left on time." "On time, sir, and their road is not much hampered," reported the foreman a few minutes later. "All right," nodded the official briskly. "Now then, get out your best locomotive. Give her a shallow caboose, and get her ready as speedily as you can." The foreman ran out into the roundhouse. The president took out his watch. To the infinite surprise of Ralph he called out: "This way, Fairbanks." He placed a hand on the shoulder of the young engineer and looked him earnestly in the eye. "I know you and your record," he said. "Is that your regular fireman?" indicating Fogg.